How to Save Green While ‘Going Green’ This Winter

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire is lovely, until you realize all that heat is escaping out of nooks and crannies in your home. Winter is surely on its way and the time to beat high energy costs is now. Here are a few ways you can save green while going green this winter:

Tip #1: Get an energy audit.

The first step in checking your money-saving potential is to hire a professional BPI certified energy rater to evaluate your spaces. This person will conduct what’s called an “energy audit” and he or she will test your home for energy losses and safety issues. Having an idea of what’s costing you the most energy (and money) is a great way to stay informed and stay ahead of fees.

Tip #2: Going Green forChristmas

Did you know: Artificial trees are typically made in China from non-biodegradable plastics. And while they can last for years, they ultimately end up in landfills. A ‘greener’ alternative is a living tree. Real trees are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. Once the holiday season is over, you can find a recycling program near you by visiting Earth 911.

Tip #3: Reverse your ceiling fan for the winter

Switching the direction the fans spin is an easy—and free—way to keep warm air circulating throughout the room rather than pooling near the ceiling. During the summer, ceiling fans that spin counter-clockwise are perfect for pushing air down, cooling off you and the space. During the winter, switch the direction the fan is spinning so it pulls the air up. Tip: Make sure the blades will spin clockwise.

Tip #4: Have a water efficient holiday

Running your tap continuously while preparing food or washing dishes wastes water and can use more than two gallons of water every minute your tap is running. Find ways to reduce your water and energy use, for example:

Scrape dirty dishes clean, instead of using water to rinse them before you put them in the dishwasher.

If you don’t use a dishwasher, fill the sink with a few gallons of soapy water, clean your dishes, and put them aside. Then rinse them all together afterward.

Either of these simple practices could save 10 gallons of water. If every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on just Thanksgiving Day, it would save more than 1 billion gallons of water, as well as save any energy or materials used to pump or treat tap water.

Tip #5: Light your home with LED lights.

Advances in LED technology mean you can buy dimmable LED light bulbs that offer a similar warm glow to incandescent bulbs. While LED light bulbs may cost a bit more than incandescent bulbs, they can last up to 25 times longer and typically use about 25 to 80 percent less energy, according to the Department of Energy. Between the energy savings and extra lifespan, this is one simple investment that could lead to long-term savings on replacement bulbs and utility bills for years to come.

—

Looking for more tips on how to save money on your energy bill? Connect with us today and we’ll help you get on track to a more energy efficient home.